--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was younger I was a nightmare. I…" description: "\"When I was younger I was a nightmare. I let people down. I resigned from Sheffield United because things were promised to me that weren't forthcoming. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/steve-bruce-4727_management_when-i-was-younger-i-was-a-nightmare-i-l_1475110.jpg" --- # When I was younger I was a nightmare. I let people down. I… ![“When I was younger I was a nightmare. I let people down. I resigned from Sheffield United because things were promised to me that weren't forthcoming. I let people down when I was younger, certainly in management.” quote by Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/steve-bruce-4727_management_when-i-was-younger-i-was-a-nightmare-i-l_1475110.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/steve-bruce-4727_management_when-i-was-younger-i-was-a-nightmare-i-l_1475110.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/steve-bruce-4727_management_when-i-was-younger-i-was-a-nightmare-i-l_1475110.jpg) > “When I was younger I was a nightmare. I let people down. I resigned from Sheffield United because things were promised to me that weren't forthcoming. I let people down when I was younger, certainly in management.” [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on personal failings and broken promises that led to letting others down, especially in leadership roles. **In simple terms:** He admits past mistakes and unmet expectations. Key Takeaway Own up to past errors and improve. Themes leadership accountability growth regret career Mood reflective somber Type apology self‑critical When to use this quote - team management - career transition - public speaking - personal development Key Concepts personal responsibility trust management failures Questions to Reflect On - How can you rebuild trust after failure? - What steps help prevent similar promises? A Different Perspective Self‑assessment may overlook external factors influencing outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Resigned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-resigned-5362481/) [Promised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promised/) [Promised Weren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promised-weren-5362482/) [Resigned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resigned/) [Resigned Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resigned-sheffield-5362480/) [Sheffield United](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheffield-united-1074783/) [Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things/) ## Related quotes > [I was player-manager at Sheffield United. I played my last ever game for them. It was terrible. We lost 4-1, I think to Sunderland.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-was-player-manager-at-sheffield-united-i-played-my-last-ever-game/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [It was a difficult period moving club to club, even before that going on loan, I never imagined leaving Bournemouth after a year, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsdale/it-was-a-difficult-period-moving-club-to-club-even-before-that-going/) [Aaron Ramsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsdale/) > [Sheffield United are attacking their own fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-murray/sheffield-united-are-attacking-their-own-fans/) [Matt Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-murray/) > [Certainly Sheffield United have been a good fit for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-wilder/certainly-sheffield-united-have-been-a-good-fit-for-me/) [Chris Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-wilder/) > [I was a Sheffield United fan from when my grandad, who's sadly passed away now, got a season ticket for me when I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-walker/i-was-a-sheffield-united-fan-from-when-my-grandad-who-s-sadly-passed/) [Kyle Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-walker/) > [I used to play central defence for Sheffield United. I had Chris Morgan at the side of me, which helped me a lot because,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-walker/i-used-to-play-central-defence-for-sheffield-united-i-had-chris/) [Kyle Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-walker/) > [People just do not realise what a football life can be. Since 1968 I've never had more than a few weeks out of work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/people-just-do-not-realise-what-a-football-life-can-be-since-1968-i/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [Hopefully, one day I'll get to play for Sheffield United in the Premier League; hopefully, that's a dream that can come true. They put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-walker/hopefully-one-day-i-ll-get-to-play-for-sheffield-united-in-the/) [Kyle Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-walker/) > [Since I made my debut at Sheffield United, I felt like I could step on and climb the leagues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-maguire/since-i-made-my-debut-at-sheffield-united-i-felt-like-i-could-step-on/) [Harry Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-maguire/) > [I told Terry I was leaving. She had been thinking about it all night and was resigned to it. 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I did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitabh-bachchan/i-did-not-resign-from-politics-because-of-bofors-i-resigned-because-i/) [Amitabh Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitabh-bachchan/) > [While they're in WWE, we absolutely have a health and wellness policy. I'll probably always say 'we,' even though I've resigned as the CEO.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-mcmahon/while-they-re-in-wwe-we-absolutely-have-a-health-and-wellness-policy/) [Linda McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-mcmahon/) > [When I resigned, I put the U.S. Government on notice that I'm going to stick to policy issues, that I have no intention of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-ritter/when-i-resigned-i-put-the-u-s-government-on-notice-that-i-m-going-to/) [Scott Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-ritter/) ## More by Steve Bruce > [I've been fortunate enough to have some big games as both a player and a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-been-fortunate-enough-to-have-some-big-games-as-both-a-player/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [He’s a fantastic talent and the complete footballer, probably the most coveted in the Premiership. It’s a privilege for the rest of us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/he-s-a-fantastic-talent-and-the-complete-footballer-probably-the-most/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I have not got a CV like Rafa, few do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-have-not-got-a-cv-like-rafa-few-do/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [When I was younger, I was a bit awkward to work for, hence why I had about five clubs in two years. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/when-i-was-younger-i-was-a-bit-awkward-to-work-for-hence-why-i-had/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I've got the utmost respect for Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-got-the-utmost-respect-for-mauricio-pochettino-at-tottenham/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [From a playing or managing point of view relegation is a blot on your CV that you don't want, but you have to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/from-a-playing-or-managing-point-of-view-relegation-is-a-blot-on-your/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [You have to be as truthful as you possibly can. That's always been my philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/you-have-to-be-as-truthful-as-you-possibly-can-that-s-always-been-my/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I accept I am not everyone's cup of tea, but judge me over a period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-accept-i-am-not-everyone-s-cup-of-tea-but-judge-me-over-a-period-of/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [Alan Shearer is a friend of mine and he is entitled to his opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/alan-shearer-is-a-friend-of-mine-and-he-is-entitled-to-his-opinions/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [You do get labelled in the game, and that's why I enjoyed my time managing in the Championship. I'd back myself against most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/you-do-get-labelled-in-the-game-and-that-s-why-i-enjoyed-my-time/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I'm delighted and incredibly proud to be appointed as head coach of Newcastle United.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-m-delighted-and-incredibly-proud-to-be-appointed-as-head-coach-of/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [Management, whether you're managing in the lower division or you're right at the top, is about getting the best out of what you've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/management-whether-you-re-managing-in-the-lower-division-or-you-re/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I'm a Newcastle lad, so to be manager is every Geordie's dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-m-a-newcastle-lad-so-to-be-manager-is-every-geordie-s-dream/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I'm always sad to see a manager go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-m-always-sad-to-see-a-manager-go/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [I've said it for a long time that Aston Villa is a special club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-said-it-for-a-long-time-that-aston-villa-is-a-special-club/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) [Explore all 107 Steve Bruce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. 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I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was younger I was a nightmare. 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